05/18/2007: Roman Storzer addressed the American Bar Association's Section of State and Local Government Law

Roman Storzer addressed the American Bar Association's Section of State and Local Government Law at its annual Spring Meeting in San Juan, Puerto Rico. The session, titled "Church, State and Dirt: RLUIPA and Land Use in 2007" also included speakers Marci Hamilton, Cardozo Law School, and Daniel P. Dalton, Tomkiw Dalton, Detroit, Michigan.

Mr. Storzer believes there were and continue to be very good reasons behind the adoption of RLUIPA. He does not believe that RLUIPA gives religious organizations a “blank check” to engage in activities free of land regulation, noting that courts have consistently indicated RLUIPA is not a “free pass.” Storzer believes RLUIPA needs to be available where facts demonstrate a community has attempted improperly to use its zoning powers to keep a religious organization with different practices and lifestyles out of a community.